Beauty in Progress

Ann Voskamp writes, referencing Paul in Philippians 4:11-12, "Twice Paul whispers it: 'I have learned...' Learned. I would have to learn eucharisteo. Learn eucharisteo--learn to live it fully....Learn how to be thankful--whether empty or full...To learn how to be grateful and happy, whether hands full or hands empty."

It is a journey...a process whereby God meets me where I am...in my brokenness and ugliness...chooses me and calls me His own. The journey to beauty begins...and I am choosing to hold on to the promise found in Phillipans 1:6

"being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

He meets me in my brokenness and chooses me...

"For you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)

He sands away the rough edges...He primes me for His calling...

"May the God of peace...that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

and I am ready for Him to turn the ugly into something beautiful...

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

I find that as His beauty begins to take shape in my life, it pours over into the lives of those around me. And I see His beauty taking shape in their lives. I realize even more the need to learn this eucharisteo...this thankfulness...this grace...this joy. I have only this one life to influence those around me.

3. creating "violet" with watercolors

4. Lego creations across the floor

5. springtime bright blue skies, lush green trees, and vibrant flowers

6. junk pile treasures

"A nail is driven out by another nail; habit is overcome by habit" (Erasmus)

Ann Voskamp writes..."this is nothing less than the driving of nails. Nails driving out my habits of discontent and driving in my habit of eucharisteo. I'm hammering in nails to pound out nails, ugly nails that Satan has pierced through the world, my heart."

So I hammer...I give myself over to my Creator to refine me, to turn turn the ugly brokenness into beauty...into a beauty that pours out onto those around me. And I am learning...learning the eucharisteo.

One Thousand Gifts

I've had the blessing...truly, a blessing...to read Ann Voskamp's book One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are. And I am embarking on my own journey to one thousand gifts...to the life lived fully right where I am.

I've been challenged lately to lay aside my hopes of healing from Fibromyalgia...to embrace the life that God has given me...to recognize the beauty in the now...to seek Him first above all else.

"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors Me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

Ann Voskamp writes, "The act of sacrificing thank offerings to God -- even for the bread and cup of cost, for cancer and crucifixion -- this prepares the way for God to show us His fullest salvation from bitter, angry, resentful lives and from all sin that estranges us from Him."

I toss and turn in bed with aching joints and sore muscles as the rain pounds outside. I wake to a dark and angry sky, feeling tired, and two young children needing care. But I take up the dare to live fully right where I am. I sacrifice thank offerings that honor Him...that the way might be prepared to receive the salvation of God...the FULL life!

1. White pitchers and spring flowers

2. Sunshine after the rain